Man's stolen handgun found by new online service

If you're interested in getting started on your catalog of valuables, head over to ReportIt.LeadsOnline.com and create an account.

News 12 First at Five / Friday, June 14, 2013

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- More than two years ago, Ryan Weinberg made a quick stop at a gas station that would change his life.

"It took me longer to stand in line and pay than it did to get what I needed out of there," Weinberg said.

When he returned to his truck, he found it in shambles. His handgun was stolen.

"It was underneath my seat in my truck and someone just went in there and took it out," he said.

On Thursday, two years later, News 12 was able to give him some good news. His gun has been found.

"I think it's awesome," he said. "You know, I pretty much gave up hope on that."

All thanks to the online system Report It that the Richmond County Sheriff's Office just recently put into effect.

"Sheriff Roundtree has said from the beginning that he wanted to do anything to enhance the community partnership within the area," said Lt. Lewis Blanchard with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

When you sign in, you can add all the items you want with as much information as you want. And if anything's ever stolen, law enforcement can easily add your information to the the criminal database, making it harder for thieves to get away with your stuff.

"If something's stolen out of your car or your house gets broken into, you've got everything so that when we get involved, now you can immediately report it to us, you can use it for your insurance company," Blanchard said.

And if anyone tries to sell your items, they'll be easier to find.

Richmond County has only been using this service for the past three weeks and it's already helping more folks than just Weinberg.

"We've had a handgun, an iPad, a fishing pole and some other items like that," he said. "And we've got, I believe, six other cases that are pending right now with items that we've found."

Now, Weinberg is just grateful he'll be getting his handgun back -- something he cared about for more than self-defense.

"I just really wanted it back," Weinberg said. "The guy who bought it for me died three months after it was stolen."

This service is completely private.The only way law enforcement can access your list of items is if you report something stolen, and even then, they'll only have access to the items you've reported. It's also a nationwide database.

If you're interested in getting started on your catalog of valuables, head over to ReportIt.LeadsOnline.com and create an account.

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